Memorial of St.
Martin of Tours, bishop
(Wisdom 1:1-7; Luke 17:1-6)
St. Martin of Tours captured the hearts of the people much like
St. Francis many centuries later. As a
youth, Martin soldiered but resigned his commission rather than serve the heretical
emperor. He said at the time, “I am the soldier of Christ: it is not
lawful for me to fight." Martin
became a monk and then a missionary. One day he was called to visit a sick
person in the city of Tours. He was taken to a church where people were waiting
to make him bishop. As bishop, Martin upheld
Church doctrine but also defended rights of heretics. His tolerance alienated him from the Roman
emperor. Martin is most remembered as
the man who shared his cloak with a beggar.
The first reading today is taken
from the Book of Wisdom. The work in
part instructs rulers to be just and prudent in their judgments. Martin of Tours could serve as a model of its
teachings. “…think of the Lord in
goodness,” it reads, “and seek him in integrity of heart.” Martin lived for the
Lord. He was true to God’s way of
compassion. He did not seek punishment
as an end but reconciliation.
All of us have at least some
authority. We may be parents or
supervisors. If nothing else, we make
decisions about how to spend leisure time.
We should strive to imitate St. Martin – faithful, diligent, and
caring.
